Sprayer



Jan. 15, 195.2 A,`R. MAHLIG ErAL SPRAYER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 5, 1946 51 @vom om Jan. 15, 1952 Filed Aug. 5, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 311/11 mirc-rs Jan. l5, 1952 A. R. MAHLIG EVAL.

SPRAYER 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 5, 1946 Patented Jan. 15, 1952 UNITED f STATES PATENT yOFFHCE SPRAYER Application August 5, 1946, Serial No. 688,460

3 Claims.

This invention relates to sprayers and particularly to those sprayers used in agriculture, horticulture and orchard culture.

In treating growing plants and trees with sprayers, one of the greatest problems to spread 5 the solution over the surfaces of the plant 1n a uniform manner so that all surfaces where fungus or parasites may be, will be completely covered. While it is possible to do this with a hand spray, the use of such devices usually results in either a l0 dencient amount of spray reaching some of the plant surfaces or an excess of liquid from the spray on other plant surfaces. Sometimes both conditions are present in the same area. In the case of an insuiiicient spray, the plant surfaces l5 do not get full treatment and when an excess amount of spray is delivered, there is a wastage ofthe material in the spray.

In addition, the use of a hand controlled spray o involves the labor of one or more men to direct e the nozzle or nozzles.

The'primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved power spray mechanism.

Another object of the invention is the DrOVSion of a sprayer which will deliver a denite and pr@- determined amount of spray over a given areac under the same conditions of atmosphere.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a sprayer having an oscillating spraying means to deliver spray at higher or lower levels 30 as desired. A still further object of the invention is the provision of a sprayer having a plurality of spraying means relatively adjustable to each other to meet varying conditions of the subjects to be treated and the Varying conditions of atmos- 35 phere.

Still another object oi the invention is the provision of a sprayer having an oscillating spraying means with provision for varying the amount of oscillation by varyingthe angle of lo oscillation.

Another and still further object of the invention is the provision of a sprayer wherein there is a plurality of spraying nozzles with means for oscillating the nozzle through a predetermined 4,5 angle or angles, with means for lchanging the average delivery angle and havingy means for varying the angle of the individual nozzles rela-A tive to the plane perpendicular to the axis of oscillation. 50

Referring to the drawing wherein is villustrated an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side view of the worliing. portion vof the invention with the parts arrangd for delivery at the right side of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a sectlonalview taken on the line 2-2 of Eig. 1`

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2 but with the nozzles in their lowest positions.

Fig. 4. is a side view of the invention attached to the necessary power means, pump and tank and shown as mounted on a trailer.

Figs. A5, 6 and 7 are detailed views of the nozzle and. its retaining collar.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the means for pivotally connecting the plate 24 and the connecting rod 22.

Fig. 9 is a cross-section on the line 9 9 of Fig. 10 is a detail cross section on the line Ill-I0 of Fig. l.

Fig. 11 is a separated View of the nozzle parts, the outer section being in cross section.

Figs. 12 and 13 are sectional views taken at right angles to each other of the nozzle plate I Isa in different positions.

Similar reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the specication and drawing.

In the drawing, the invention is illustrated as being mounted on a twoewheel trailer but it is obvious that it may be carried on a truck or any other suitable vehicle.

The numeral I6 designates the trailer frame having rear extensions Ia upon which the working portion of the invention is mounted. On the forward portion of the frame IIJ is mounted a power unit as the internal combustion motor II. The motor I I drives a pump I2 and is also operatively connected to an agitator shaft I3, which extends through the tank lI4 which carries the liquid for the spray supply. The agitator shaft I3 is provided with siutable agitators Iia which maintain a state of agitation in the liquid Within the tank I 4.

The ground Wheels I5 support the frame I5 and the equipment carried thereby. A suitable connecting hitch Ib is provided for connection to the draw `bar Id of a tractor, truck or other .draft means.

Mounted on platform 68e which is supported by the extension frame ita, is a sprayer frame l5 having uprights i511 and cross top beams [5b. Mounted `on the cross top pieces Ib are bearings I6 in which are journaled a hollow sectional conduitrnember I'i. This conduit member I I receives and distributes the liquid from the tank I4 as will be described.

A coupling I'Ia connects the sections of the conduit member I'I together and is so constructed that when the set screws Ilm are tightened, the sections will be held in relatively rigid position.

Extending from each section of the conduit member Il is a branch conduit member I'Ib which carries, at its end, a screw thread llc on which is threaded a header connection I3. Extending from this header connection are distribution pipes Iba. On each distribution pipe IBa is mounted one or more nozzles for the delivery of the spray to the air.

These nozzles have an adjustable end I9a having a slit Illb. The inner portion of the adjustalc-le end Iga has a rim 19e which engages the outer edge of the threaded portion IIc of the branch conduit member I'Ib. It is to be noted that the clamping collar IQd hasa flange ISe which, when in place, rests on the flange I9c.

The threaded inner surface I9f registers-with the threaded surface |99 of the nozzle I9 tosecurely hold the adjustable end I9a in place. By placing the adjustable end |9a at various angles, the form of the spray, as it emerges, may be varied. The general shape of the spray is that of a flattened cone, the cross-section of which is substantially elliptical. By placing the adjustable end 19a in various positions, the positions of the long and short axes of the spray cross section may be varied, thus varying the effect of the spray, as desired by the operative.

In Figs. 11, 12 and 13, another form of nozzle is illustrated. An adjustable end I lea is provided with a slot H912 and a flange H90. A retaining collar IISa is provided with a flange I|9e and a threaded portion IISJ. The parts I9a, HBD, IHQc, I ld, I Ille and IIQf are counterparts of the corresponding parts lea, |91), ISC, I9d, Ie and ISf of Figs. 7, 8 and 9 and either may be made in any size and proportion found to be convenient. These parts are assembled on the body I9 of the nozzle shown in section on Fig. 1 and at the angle desired to produce the results. As the details of the nozzle per se are not a part of this invention, they will not be further discussed.

By adjusting the headers I3 about their axes, it is clear that varying nozzle effects may b obtained.

As has already been indicated the conduit members Il' oscillate in bearings l5. To bring about this oscillation, there is provided a mechanism which will now be described.

Secured lto the conduit member Il at any suitable place is a bell crank arm 20 having a sleeve end 28a which surrounds the conduit member Vi. Extending from and secured to the bell crank 2s are two arms 20h for a purpose to be presently described. A set screw 20c is provided for securing the relative adjustment between the arm 20 and the conduit I1'.

The outer ends of the arms 20h are provided with openings to receive the pin 2l which carries the upper end of the connecting rod 22. The connecting rod 22 has a lower bearing 22a which is journalled on a crank pin 23. This crank pin 23 is adj ustably mounted on the crank plate 24 which is mounted to rotate on and with the power shaft 25. The crank plate 2t is provided with a slot 24a having notches 24h on one side. On one end of the crank pin 23 is a block member 23a so shaped as to engage one side of the slot 24d and one of the notches 24h.

By adjusting the block member 23a to different positions-toward or from the center of the rotating shaft axis-it is obvious that the rotation of the shaft 25 will cause a less or greater oscillation 4 of the conduits I 'I-according to its position in the slot 24a.

The shaft 25 is suitably journalled in bearings 25 which are supported by and on the transverse supporting members 21. On the forward end of the shaft 25 is a dirve pulley 28 which drives the shaft 25 to oscillate the conduit I1 and the nozzles carried thereby.

The shaft I3. which is driven by the internal combustion motor or other power means Il, has

`a pulley |317 which is connected to the pulley 28 by a belt 29.-

The pump I2 is connected to an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe. The inlet pipe I2a connects with the interior of the tank I4. The outlet pipe 12b extends rearwardly and is connected to the conduit vI'l by a joint I2c which permits the conduit I? to oscillate relative to the pipe l2b, without leakage. It is to be noted that the threaded sleeve 52d draws upon the flange end of the pipe I'I to hold the latter against a conical surface on the main body of the joint I2C. The flanged end Ild has an internal conical surface to coact with the external conical surface I2e on the end I2f of the joint member I2C.

The operation of the whole assembly will now be described.

After setting the block member 23a to provide the desired angle of oscillation, setting the couplings Ila to predetermine the angles of the branches IIb, relative to each other, setting the set screws 20c at the desired adjustment of the conduit Il' relative to the arm 28, setting the headers I8 at the desired angles of the distributing pipes I8a and lastly, after adjusting the positions of the several adjustable ends I9a of the nozzle, the motor is started.

Being connected to the agitator shaft I3, the agitators |3a stir up the liquid within the tank I4. When all is ready, a suitable clutch IIa is closed to start operation of the pump, permitting the pump I2 to drive the uid from the tank i4 through the delivery pipe I2b, by which the liquid is delivered to the conduit I'I. On reaching the branches I'b, the liquid passes therethrough to the headers I8 and to their distributing pipes la which deliver the liquid to the nozzle openings |91), Ilgb.

As already pointed out, it is presupposed that the adjustable nozzle ends 19a have been adjusted about their axes, the distributing pipes I8a have been adjusted, the sections of the conduit I' have been adjusted angularly by the coupling Ila, the adjustment between the arm 20 and the conduit member Il has been accomplished and the block 23a has been adjusted in the slot Za all to bring about the desired delivery according to the atmospheric conditions and the line of travel selected for the machine.

The shaft I3 drives the pulley I3b which, in

turn, drives the pulley 28 by the belt 29. This rotates the shaft 25 and with it the crank plate 24 and its crank pipe 23a.

If fewer nozzles are required, some may be replaced with closed caps and if only one nozzle is needed per section of conduit il, each header I8 and branch I'Ib may be removed and a nozzle put in its place.

It will thus be clear that there has been provided an efficient spray machine which provides for changing conditions or operations whereby the operative may make adjustments and changes to meet the conditions which may be encountered in the eld of operation and which may varv from hour to hour as atmospheric conditions change.

While one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to he understood that the disclosure is merely illustrative and that modiiications and changes may he made without departing from the spirit of the invention and within its scope as claimed.

Having,r described our invention, what we claim 1. A spraying machine comprising a hollow liquid-carrying shaft, the shaft having sections angularly adjustable with relation to each other, spray-delivering means including a plurality of hollow headers disposed normally parallel with respect to the hollow shaft, means supporting the headers on the shaft and serving as conduits therebetween, said supporting means beine` adjustable so as to permit angular adjustment oi the headers with respect to the shaft, a plurality of nozzles on each of the headers and connected 'to receive liquid therefrom, supports for oscillatingiy sorting the shaft, and power means for oscillating the shaft through a predetermined angle.

2. A spraying machine comprising a hollow liquid-carrying shaft, the shaft having sections angularly adjustable with relation to each other, spray-delivering means including a plurality of hollow headers disposed normally parallel with respect to the hollow shaft, means supporting the headers on the shaft and serving as` conduits therebetween, said supporting means being adjustable about an axis normal to the shaft axis so as to permit angular' adjustment of the headers with respect to the shaft and each other, a plurality of nozzles on each of the headers and connected to receive liquid therefrom and having if substantially parallel axes, supports for oscillatingly supporting the shaft, and power means for oscillating the shaft through a predetermined angle.

3. A spraying machine comprising a hollow liquid-carrying shaft, the shaft having sections angularly adjustable with relation to each other, spray-delivering means including a plurality of hollow headers disposed normally parallel with respect to the hollow shaft, means supporting the headers on the shaft and serving as conduits therebetween, said supporting means being adjustable so as to permit angular adjustment of the headers with respect to the shaft, a plurality of nozzles on each of the headers and connected to receive liquid therefrom, supports for oscillatingly supporting the shaft, power means for oscillating the shaft through a predetermined anglo, and an adjustable connection between the power means and shaft for adjusting the header and shaft as a unit, relative to the power means.

ARTHUR R. MAHLIG. ROBERT B. HINELY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNI'I'ED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 816,504 Russell Apr. 3, 1906 921837 Delene July 13, 1909 995511 Standish June 20, 1911 995,931 Waller June 20, 1911 1,454,84e Campbell May 15, 1923 1,580,478 Fox et al. Apr. 13, 1926 2,411,964 Grass Dec. 3, 1946 

